January is no longer slow

Have you noticed that too? There was a time when it seemed like January would drag on forever, but now it just hums along with the rest of the weeks, months, years even. So here we are, nearing February. I hope you are making headway in your sewing room. 

Before we flip our calendars though, I have a finish to report! It is my first for 2021 and it is a doozy. American Patchwork & Quilting had a sew along in 2018, in April I believe. I knew I just had to participate since I had a box full of scraps that would work perfectly for this quilt. And I cannot resist a scrappy quilt of many pieces. Can you?

It is called Sew Many Strips and if there ever was an example to prove that "there are no ugly fabrics, you just need to cut them smaller" - this quilt is one of them. Each brick shape piece is 1.5" x 2.5".

 

It's finished size measures 96" x 96", with 5,560 pieces, and I busted 19 7/8 yards of fabric to complete it. 

I normally like to use up the stash in my sewing room, but for this one I just purchased one piece of backing. It is quilted in the feathered paisley design. I am so happy with the end result, and because of its size, it is a very heavy quilt.

So on to the next UFO finish I go. I am now concentrating on my Patches of Blue BOM with Edyta Sitar. It has taken me longer than I expected as I am adding my own little appliques to make it my own. It is such a lovely design, just as all Edyta's designs are. My goal is to have it to a flimsy stage by the end of February.

And because you read to the end, I would like to share something I found while purging my patterns and clippings. It was written by an unknown source so if this is you, thank you! It has captured my heart.

 

The Quilter

Once my fingers touch the threads

Washing, dusting, unmade beds

fade away to nothingness 

And I in complete happiness

Let my heart soar with masters past

The patches blend designs so fast

That time flies by

And there am I...

Peaceful, creative, contented, whole--

Quilting becomes my very soul.

                             ~ Author unknown

 

 

Challenges and Mysteries in 2021

  There are so many quilt mysteries and challenges available online these days. I am someone who easily gets distracted and loves to chase these "squirrels"! So to try to keep them listed in one spot may help prioritize, or narrow down which ones to participate in. Here is my list to entice you.

1. Modern HST 2021 Steph Jacobson is offering another block of the month series. If you like modern settings or want to experiment in this genre, then go for this one. And it is free. 
2. Warmth of Our Stars designed by Scott Flanagan at Quilting Daily. A flannel quilt project that promises to be extra snuggly.
   
3. Home Is... mystery sew along project by Pat Sloan. Because it is a mystery, you won't know the final reveal until June 2, 2021, but you can trust the design work of Pat Sloan.
   
4. Sewcialties by Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber. It comes in three sizes and the block designs are irresistable. A new block pattern is released every Friday until June 25, 2021
   
5. Rail Fences by Stash Bandit
6. American Quilter's Stitch Along by Lisa Bongean will feature 15 blocks that will show our love of our country in this red, white, and blue quilt project.
   
7. Color My World by Wendy Williams at The Quilt Show. This one you have to subscribe to, to get the pattern. So beautiful and features famous world structures. 

 

I'll try to come back and edit this post as I find more that may be of interest. These are my number one sources for distraction! Maybe I should learn to look away or just keep scrolling. 

Home Sweet Homes

I love little house blocks. And there are so many examples of these charming blocks on the web.  I finished my "Be My Neighbor" block of the month in 2018 but here I am again entertaining another quilt made from these simple house blocks.

It is really Kim Lapecek's fault to tempt me so. She is hosting a scrap quilt challenge (challenges are so self-motivating!) and is featuring the house block for the month of April. I have until April 2021 to finish a quilt using the house block and my box of scraps. Minimum size is 45" x 60". Now that is doable, right? 

So which pattern should I choose? Or should I combine different styles of blocks in rows? I have The Villages pattern so I will begin with there. And to commemorate the quarantine year, maybe socially space them further apart than directed in the pattern? Oh how our lives are changing...

I've already made one block as a test to see how well I like this pattern idea. Kim also gives a short tutorial for a version of her house block which has very little waste. I may try both.

I will be linking up at Kim Pacek's scrap challenge party today. And watch these fun little blocks grow into something to snuggle under. 

 Scrappy House Challenge

 

"These are unprecedented times."  seems to be a common phrase we hear repeated these days. So many good and bad examples and effects of this quarantine, and one is the amount of sew alongs that are being offered! I guess the good or bad part comes from whether you are keeping up with them or not. <grin> 

I've been trying to stay focused on my own list of projects but the quarantine mystery quilt project hosted by Edyta Sitar was one that was irresistible! And I am so glad I did NOT resist because it finished beautifully! Thank you Edyta! 100 blocks in 15 days!  I love her quilts! I love her style! I am driven to finish this top this week.

Another work in progress is my Bonnie Hunter Frolic Mystery quilt. I have all the blocks sewn together and am presently working on the border. This should be done soon and ready for my long arm quilter. 

And my Patches in Blue Block of the Month, by Edyta Sitar is past due for a finish. Once the above quilts are off the wall, I can get back to getting this one done to a flimsy stage of completion. 

Has anyone jumped in on Pat Sloan's Traffic Jam? It is a fun scrappy project and sews up fast! I have 25 blocks finished and ready for sashings. 



Scrap Challenges seem to be my weakness. Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams has monthly scrap challenges. You link up your committment to finish your quilt within the year. Requirements are minimal: size to be at least 45" X 60", entries must be completely finished, and must be "scrappy" (not matched using precuts). This month's focus is on house blocks. Since I already have the Village quilt pattern, and a bucket of scraps, I'm in!



With all the upcoming outdoor chores, this will surely keep me busy stitching some finishes for this quarter. I will be linking my projects on #2020falq2list

 

First Finish is a Mystery

A mystery solved, that is. Scrap Dash by Pheobe Moon recently hosted a mystery project on new year's day. I just finished mine, minus the final border since I could not find any fabric that would look right from my stash. 

My Round the Mountain Mini Quilt finished at 36" square and is ready for its debut on the table! It is a cheerful little quilt and am pleased with the end result. 

I love how the pinwheels play on the borders. And I think the center needs a little more elaborate quilting rather than just the stitch in the ditch. Any suggestions?

I'll pick that up after I complete another quilting deadline goal. It should only take a few hours. 



 

Countdown to a New Decade

2020 will soon be here! Funny 2020 used to be something I only gave thought to if reading/watching something in the science fiction genre! But here we are, nonetheless, and hopefully you have as much anticipation and excitement for the times ahead as I do!

2019 was a good year in the sewing room. I finished a total of 6 quilts. Counting all the yardage, I used up a total of 81.5 yards of stash! Not too bad, I thinks, and this doesn't include the 2 quilts I got to the flimsy stage(Minecraft, and Antique Tiles), and another (Scrappy Strips) nearly finished with only the borders to sew on. This leaves some quick finishes to reach my goals for next year.

My goal list for the first quarter will be posted soon as I mull over my listing of UFOs.  There are so many projects waiting and yet I add to the list by beginning some new starts...like...

Scrap Dash New Year's Mystery. Now here is a fun project that has peaked my interest. A small project, so no guilt here. Surely I can finish this Round the Mountain Mini Mystery and get it to the quilting stage for some quiet evening hand work.I have picked a couple of charm packs for inspiration. I will decide further tomorrow morning as the first clue comes out. 

Another mystery that has caught my attention is Merry Mayhem's Around the Corner. I have some yardage pulled for this but am waiting to see what it will look like exactly before committing. I know, I am cheating. It won't be a true mystery, right? My original intention was to make it queen size so I just want to be sure, wouldn't you? Hopefully it will be a fast project and I'll zip it up in a week or two.

So not only am I looking forward to next year, and all that it brings, but I am also looking forward to tomorrow! It's snowing, the house is clean, the laundry is caught up, so it is full steam ahead!

Happy New Year!

 

Nothing Beats a Challenge

In my way of thinking anyway. It must link back to my double-dog-dare days. 

December is usually crunch time in the sewing room, but this year I have not had any last minute projects. So, I got in a cleaning up the sewing room mood and found this box of Christmas theme scraps.

As I sorted through this stuffed box lots of memories came to mind of past gifts, stockings, ornaments, and quilts as gifts, along with the people I gave them to. These little scraps (anything under a fat quarter) gave me warm feelings and a sense of value. After all, I have saved them all this time.

A sudden rush of excitement came over me as I questioned, "how many quilts/projects can I get out of this box until it is empty?" I always find it amazing just how far our scraps will go. They never seem to run out, do they? And the thrill of having an empty box, well, that really motivated me. So, countdown to Christmas ...

These sweet Hexagon Origami Ornaments were a fast little craft. I cut out several stabilized  hexagons and took them with me to our Thanksgiving gathering so the Grands and I could have a little craft time together. I found this demo on YouTube if you want to try them yourself. I'll be using these as gift labels that can be reused as ornaments.




More gift labels were made using a fun project from Suzy Quilts. (I mentioned these last month with a link to her free pattern). I also had a couple of ratty potholders but they were still useful because they were so thick.  I made new covers in a pillowcase type fashion, slipped the pot holder inside, and then slip stitched the opening closed. A few hand quilted stitches sandwiched everything together nicely so nothing shifts after washing, and they are now ready for more use in the kitchen.  Easy! 

 
  I don't remember where this row of reindeer fabric came from but I cut, and pieced a few 4-square blocks, and it grew into the pictured mini quilt/tabletopper/placemat. I had enough of these fabrics to make two toppers! One is hand quilted and ready for gifting. The second will be finished soon as I like to do handwork in my chair in the evenings. 

This line of fabrics was another unknown and of varying widths so I practiced an improv techique (sew as you go). It is "so improv" that I even ran out of binding and had to piece about 4 inches of another fabric in. Can you find it? It is kind of busy but I am happy with the result. The back I used an old Daisy Kingdom remnant. Remember that line of fabric that was popular in the 80's? I quilted it in a big hand stitch which gives it a handmade look. 

It has been a year for Dresdens. (See previous posts) I made 2 of these mini dresdens and backed them with felt. I quilted the layers together and they made nice little placemats for the table. (I failed to photograph the other one before I gave it away). I like these so well I may have to make one for myself! 

AND look at this little darling! I found this pattern idea at The Singer Featherweight Shop website. It is a spool pin cushion for your featherweight vintage sewing machine. It adorns your machine and also prevents and scratching from your spinning spool.  Now don't we have everything? (I have yet to poke the center hole in.)



I guess I need to begin thinking bigger...or I will never empty this box! 



How about a Mistletoe Lane Quilt?  This pattern is a fast and easy project. After cutting the required strips, I sat and pieced the blocks together in one afternoon! Now I'm stuck debating on whether to add a narrow sashing or just sew them together and get it done! These are pictured over my Minecraft quilt that is also a work in progress. I love how these Mistletoe Lane blocks look on the diagonal. I used up a lot of fabric making these but I still have more in the box....

How about a pink Christmas? I found these leftovers and made 2 table runners. This one is pin basted and ready for quilting. The other will follow. More fun projects for the evening chair.

I can include this quilt in this challenge even though it began last year. (scraps originated in this box) It was a quilt along at Temecula Quilt Company. (have you seen this year's?)  I recently finished sewing it together and the quilting is now done for completion. I used a remnant of muslin for the backing making it soft to lay under. My last big finish for the year I suppose. It measures 44" x 57" and I calculated 8 yards of total stash busted.  It is presently draped over the chair for anyone needing some coziness that only a quilt can give.

I have bundled together several more future projects. A Debbie Mumm panel with matching fabrics, a few remaining charms, whimsical remnants, snowmen panels, and various other scraps and groups by color. 

And they STILL fill up the box! How can that be? Oh well, I still have 3 more weeks in December.

November is for Turkeys

And November is great for preparing for Christmas and the new year. May I mention, we are entering a new decade on January 1st?  I am hoping to finish this present decade with some fun finishes and warm memories with friends and family.

I missed linking up my goals for the last quarter Finish Along. (so bummed)

But I was the winner of a $25 gift certificate from Sew Me A Song at the end of our last quarter!  I purchased this lovely little bundle and made Sew Me A Song a favorite shop on etsy for future *needs*. Thanks Becca! It really IS fun to participate in the Finish Along! 

I've been having some sewing fun making a few smalls for Christmas. They are satisfying quick finishes that I like to focus on this time of year. I recovered a couple of potholders that have seen better days. They were quite ratty looking but thick and useful so I decided to re-cover with Christmas scraps. 

Another fun project I found was from Suzy Quilts. She is currently giving this free pattern for quilted ornaments. They are fairly easy to make and I plan to use them as gift labels since I did not stuff them. You can visit Suzy Quilts for more sewing ideas. I love her new pattern, Tail Feathers, which these ornaments are a mini replica.

 ________

Presently on my design wall is my Minecraft quilt. Oh my, I am so excited to get this done! I know some people who are going to love cuddling under this!! This project comes from Kelli Fannin at Seriously, I Think it Needs Stitches. (hilarious! I love her humor!) 

Kelli has done an incredible job of drafting these patterns out with accuracy. I have not had one problem (other than my own mix ups) while making these blocks. Beware, the dragon blocks were quite involved though. Approach with much patience and determination!  I simply need to sash the blocks and join the rows. I hope to finish before the end of the year and get it to my long arm quilter. It should be completely finished during the cold winter months of Ohio. Perfect timing! 

And you know what else I always look forward to in November? Yep! Bonnie Hunter's annual mystery quilt along! She never disappoints, does she? I've had my fabric pull ready for a few weeks now. I love these color combinations.

This year's Frolic Mystery began on Friday, November 29th and I almost have all my 4 patches completed. These little darlings make me anxious for the next clue. This will be a finish for 2020 since all clues will not come out until January.  It is not too late to begin your mystery quilt. Visit Bonnie's site for her weekly clues. They won't be posted long before she takes them down. 


One last project that I've been tackling this year is my Burgoyne Surrounded Christmas quilt. It was a project that began last year as a sew along at Temecula Quilt Company.  Sheryl always has such pretty ideas with tiny prints.
My quilt will finish as a throw size. Although the binding is on, I previously machine quilted it in the ditch between each block and am now adding hand quilting stitches for fun. I love the texture it brings.

Ahhh...this feeling doesn't last long. 
Happy stitching!